Syria, Saudi, Iran envoys bid to ease Lebanon tensions
AFP
BEIRUT- The Syrian, Saudi and Iranian ambassadors to Lebanon met on Tuesday in a bid to contain rising tensions over the fate of a UN-backed probe into the murder of ex-premier Rafiq Hariri.
"Preserving Lebanon's unity is of the utmost importance and that has always been the position of the Islamic Republic of Iran," Iranian ambassador Ghadanfar Roken Abadi told Lebanon's LBC television.
"We felt that Syria and Saudi Arabia hold the same position," Roken Abadi said after a luncheon hosted at the Syrian envoy's residence which was not open to the press.
"We hope that the positive effect of these talks and efforts will begin to surface in Lebanon soon.
"We are not afraid for Lebanon as this has always been the nature of the country," Roken Abadi said, adding he had faith in "the awareness of the (Lebanese) people and all political parties."
Tensions have been high in Beirut as the UN-backed Special Tribunal for Lebanon is said to be preparing to issue an indictment in the 2005 bombing that killed Hariri and 22 others.
The tribunal has not confirmed reports that it will accuse Hezbollah members in the killing, but the Iranian- and Syrian-backed movement's leader Hassan Nasrallah has repeatedly said he is ready for such an outcome and has warned of the repercussions.
Sheikh Naim Qassem, the Shiite militant group's second-in-command, on Tuesday warned any charges against Hezbollah members from the court would be "equivalent to lighting the fuse, to igniting the wick for an explosion."
Despite the warnings of Hezbollah, Saudi-backed Prime Minister Saad Hariri, son of the slain former premier, has vowed to see the investigation through.
Regional powerhouses Syria and Saudi Arabia have held a series of meetings in recent months in an attempt to stem tensions in Lebanon.
The Iranian and Saudi leaders have also discussed Lebanese affairs by telephone and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad visited Lebanon last month.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"We are not afraid for Lebanon as this has always been the nature of the country," Roken Abadi said, adding he had faith in "the awareness of the (Lebanese) people and all political parties."
Tensions have been high in Beirut as the UN-backed Special Tribunal for Lebanon is said to be preparing to issue an indictment in the 2005 bombing that killed Hariri and 22 others.
The tribunal has not confirmed reports that it will accuse Hezbollah members in the killing, but the Iranian- and Syrian-backed movement's leader Hassan Nasrallah has repeatedly said he is ready for such an outcome and has warned of the repercussions.
Sheikh Naim Qassem, the Shiite militant group's second-in-command, on Tuesday warned any charges against Hezbollah members from the court would be "equivalent to lighting the fuse, to igniting the wick for an explosion."
Despite the warnings of Hezbollah, Saudi-backed Prime Minister Saad Hariri, son of the slain former premier, has vowed to see the investigation through.
Regional powerhouses Syria and Saudi Arabia have held a series of meetings in recent months in an attempt to stem tensions in Lebanon.
The Iranian and Saudi leaders have also discussed Lebanese affairs by telephone and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad visited Lebanon last month.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------